Abstract:
A method for closing the holes on the end face of a nano-engineered fiber having a core, a cladding with non-periodically disposed voids, and at least one of a coating and a buffer, comprises the steps of: (i) cleaving the fiber portion, thereby forming a cleaved end face; and (ii) applying a predetermined amount of energy via a laser beam to the cleaved end face, the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids exposed at the cleaved end face only to a depth of less than 11 μm.
Abstract:
A polymer based index-matching gel for use with nanostructure optical fibers is disclosed. The index-matching gel has a viscosity η at 25° C. of 3 Pa-s≦η≦100 Pa-s, which prevents the index-matching gel from wicking into the voids and down the nanostructure optical fiber to a depth where the fiber performance and/or device performance is compromised. The gel is suitable for use when mechanically splicing optical fibers when at least one of the optical fibers is a nanostructure optical fiber. The gel is also suitable for use in fiber optic connectors wherein at least one of the optical fibers constituting the connection is a nanostructure optical fiber.
Abstract:
A method for closing the holes on the end face of a nano-engineered fiber having a core, a cladding with non-periodically disposed voids, and at least one of a coating and a buffer, comprises the steps of: (i) cleaving the fiber portion, thereby forming a cleaved end face; and (ii) applying a predetermined amount of energy via a laser beam to the cleaved end face, the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids exposed at the cleaved end face only to a depth of less than 11 μm.
Abstract:
A bent optical fiber coupler (100) that employs at least one optical fiber (10) is disclosed. The coupler includes a curved optical fiber guide channel (200) having a strong curve. The optical fiber(s) held within the optical fiber guide channel have a bend corresponding to the guide channel curve. The fiber end portions are optionally disposed within a straight fiber guide (160) at a coupler input/output end, which is preferably configured to have a standard connector geometry. Use of nanostructured fibers for the at least one optical fiber allows for strong bends having tight radii of curvature without imparting significant attenuation. Coupler assemblies that include the coupler optically coupled to at least one opto-electronic device (310) are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A polymer based index-matching gel for use with nanostructure optical fibers is disclosed. The index-matching gel has at least one polymer component having a viscosity η at 25° C. of 3 Pa-s≦η≦100 Pa-s, which prevents the index-matching gel from wicking into the voids and down the nanostructure optical fiber to a depth where the fiber performance and/or device performance is compromised. The gel is suitable for use when mechanically splicing optical fibers when at least one of the optical fibers is a nanostructure optical fiber. The gel is also suitable for use in fiber optic connectors wherein at least one of the optical fibers constituting the connection is a nanostructure optical fiber.
Abstract:
Fiber optic connectors and other structures that can be easily and quickly prepared by the craft for termination and/or connectorization in the field are disclosed. More specifically, the fiber optic connectors and other structures disclosed are intended for use with glass optical fibers having a large core. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a bore sized to receive an optical fiber and a buffer layer at a front end face of the ferrule. Methods of making the fiber optic connectors and other structures are also disclosed. The methods disclosed allow “rough cutting” of the optical fibers with a buffer layer thereon by the craft.
Abstract:
A gradient-index (GRIN) optical connector is disclosed that includes a GRIN lens having a central optical axis and front and back opposite endfaces. A plurality of optical fibers are optically coupled to the back endface of the GRIN lens and defines a first optical fiber bundle having an asymmetric arrangement relative to the central optical axis of the GRIN lens. The GRIN lens has a refractive index profile generally defined by an alpha profile having an alpha parameter α in a range 1.92≦α≦1.98. An optical fiber connector assembly formed by interfacing two of the GRIN optical connectors is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An optical fiber comprising: (i) a multi-mode silica based glass core, said core having a 80-300 μm diameter and an index of refraction n1; (ii) a cladding surrounding the core, said cladding having a thickness ≦20 μm and index of refraction index of refraction n2 n2; and (iv) a permanent buffer.
Abstract:
Fiber optic connectors and other structures that can be easily and quickly prepared by the craft for termination and/or connectorization in the field are disclosed. More specifically, the fiber optic connectors and other structures disclosed are intended for use with glass optical fibers having a large core. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector includes a a body having a portion with a retaining structure for securing an optical fiber and a front portion having a passageway sized to receive an optical fiber and a buffer layer through a front end. Methods of making the fiber optic connectors and other structures are also disclosed. The methods disclosed allow “rough cutting” of the optical fibers with a buffer layer thereon by the craft.
Abstract:
A polymer based index-matching gel for use with nanostructure optical fibers is disclosed. The index-matching gel has a viscosity η at 25° C. of 3 Pa-s≦η≦100 Pa-s, which prevents the index-matching gel from wicking into the voids and down the nanostructure optical fiber to a depth where the fiber performance and/or device performance is compromised. The gel is suitable for use when mechanically splicing optical fibers when at least one of the optical fibers is a nanostructure optical fiber. The gel is also suitable for use in fiber optic connectors wherein at least one of the optical fibers constituting the connection is a nanostructure optical fiber.
Abstract translation:公开了一种与纳米结构光纤一起使用的基于聚合物的折射率匹配凝胶。 折射率匹配凝胶在25℃下的粘度等于3Pa·s <= eta <= 100Pa·s,这防止了折射率匹配凝胶芯吸到空隙中并沿着纳米结构光纤下降到深度 其中光纤性能和/或设备性能受到损害。 当至少一个光纤是纳米结构光纤时,该凝胶适用于在机械接合光纤时使用。 凝胶也适用于光纤连接器,其中构成连接的光纤中的至少一个是纳米结构光纤。